Tag: god

Focus

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

I have often spent hours and at times days looking for God. “Where are You, Lord?” “I can’t see you anywhere” “Have you left me? Do you not care what I’m going through?” That is some of the questions I would find myself saying, all the while knowing He is there, He hears me, He loves me, He cares what I am going through. But I really wasn’t focused on finding Him, I was in panic mode. At times I would be looking at my problems like that needle in the haystack, they were so BIG that was all I could see. Instead of looking at God, who is even BIGGER than that. That scripture in Jeremiah speaks that to me; when I search for Him with all my heart, I’ll find Him. Not when I’m so focused on my problem or situation I’m going through, NO, when I am whole-heartedly seeking after Him, FOCUSED on finding Him! God is always waiting on us to cry out to Him, but with our whole heart, trusting Him, not just hoping He will hear us or show up. I can’t tell you how many times over my life span, I’ve worried about finances. Before I was a believer well of course I was my own god, so I’d just try to figure it all out and if it worked great; if not I’d try something else, but when I became a believer in Christ, that made the real change. Not saying I didn’t get off kilter at times, but I now knew who was my source and who to go searching for over my finances. Can I just say, EVERY time I have searched with my whole heart, God has shown up. I’m not saying every time my finances where in dire straight did He bail me out immediately, but He did give me direction as to what to do and what not to do anymore, if I didn’t want to go through that again. Ya know, He’s a Daddy, just tak’n care of His girl, daddy’s have to do a little correcting at times. So, God is not a needle in the haystack, if He were He’d be like the one in the picture above. God is accessible, he desires to be found, and a rewarder of those who diligently seek His presence, strength and righteousness. Here are just a few other scriptures you can refer too; (Deut. 4:29): “But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. (Hebrews 11:6): …he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”. and one more I’ll share, (Matt. 7:7-8): :Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will opened to you.” So remember, it is your “whole heart” He is after and if you will search for Him with that, you will find Him.

Standing On the Rock

And the Lord said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock.” (Exodus 33:21)

Isn’t is amazing that Moses would experience the Lord who is the Rock, while standing on the rock. Moses was known by God and found grace in His sight (Ex. 33:12-13). It’s almost like reading a love story. First Moses sees and talks to God as one would to a friend. From a distance, the people saw the pillar and recognized the presence of God, but only Moses could come near the pillar, God’s Prescence. “My Presence” means literally in Hebrew, “MY Face.” God’s promise of His Presence with His people was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, which is where we get “On the Rock, I stand” (1 Cor. 10:4). Christ is the Rock on which I stand. He provides me with stability during the rough times in my life when I don’t think I can stand anymore (Matt. 7:24-26) He is my refuge, shelter and source of strength when I am feeling weak and scared. (Ps. 18:2) In times of temptation He has made a way for me to escape, that I may be able to bear it (1 Cor. 10:13) Here is a promise for you; He will give every believer the grace and power to endure. If you are feeling stress, fear, anxiety, uncertainty, lack of direction, instability, weak or unloved; He’s your Rock. Stand in Him, His Word, His truths, His love. His Love never fails (1 Cor.13:8 ) “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand” (Psalm 40:2) That’s not just scripture; that’s what He did for me! He is not a respecter of persons, if He did it for me, He’ll do it for you.

What’s Around the Corner?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6)

So many times in my life I’ve wondered this question. I sense the Lord directing me somewhere, but not sure where I’m headed. What will this place look like, who will be there? Am I even sure this is a place I should be going. What is around that corner? Yet, I am always encouraged by His Word, “Trust.” He is going to guide me. I don’t have to understand and I certainly don’t need to try to rely on my understanding of things, because I can really think some crazy kinda ways at times, just say’n. Because I know Him so well it’s like going to a chair to sit down at the table and I don’t even think about it, I just pull the chair out and sit down. I never ever thought for one minute that that chair was not going to hold or support me once I sat in it. That’s the kind of trust I have in my Father God. I am relying on His character; who He is, His faithfulness and guidance. Sometimes I can get off course a bit, well maybe a lot, but when that happens if I will seek Him; He says, “I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity.” (Jer. 29:14) See, we don’t even have to worry if we have made a wrong turn along the way, He is always with us, watching and making a way for us to get to our final destination. (Joshua 1:9) says, “Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” I just want to encourage you today, if you sense God calling you somewhere and fear is keeping you from making that corner, my word for you would be, TRUST!

Meditate-Reflect-Ruminate

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:8)

To meditate means much more than contemplation. The idea is we should reflect upon God’s Word in a thoughtful way; Allowing those truths to become personal and applying them to our lives. I love what is says in (Psalms 1:2-3) But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the river of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. I talk to God all day long, I ask Him things regarding my day, but sometimes in the asking it requires me to stop for a moment and go to the Word, find what it is I’m looking for and then meditate/ruminate on that for a bit. It’s an ongoing relationship with the Word, it shapes my thoughts and my actions; causing me to less likely make as many mistakes in my life, that is, if I’m obedient to the Word. This is a good practice to get in to, it is God speaking to us through His Word. “Day” represents conscious study and application of the Word to daily decisions. “Night” represents letting the Word dwell in the mind as the last thought, allowing it to take root in the subconscious. The goal of “Success”: to bring about prosperity, not just material gain, but the ability to be unshaken (“your leaf unshaken does not wither”) like in the scripture regarding the tree planted by the river. If we will get in the habit of getting in the Word and meditating on it, the Word tells us we will become “firmly planted” meaning we will be spiritually nourished and ready for whatever life throws our way. We have a truth to stand on, we become unmovable regardless of the circumstances. Make this the desire of your heart, to know God, know His Word; implant His Word in your heart and meditate on it day and night. Be intentional, it’s divine wisdom!

You Said

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7)

Casting is intentional relocating of something; in this case it is relocating where we put our anxiety. I’d just like to point out the word intentional, that is my word this year for learning how to better walk in the direction & instruction of the Lord. Our first response to what has us feeling anxious should be in removing it off our mind and casting it on Jesus. As soon as we sense that anxiety welling up inside of us, cast it in Jesus’ direction, immediately. Be intentional about not holding on to that feeling. Look up scriptures regarding anxiety so you know how to say, “You said” Examples: “You said you would walk me through the waters” (Is. 43:2) “You said you would lead me through the valley” (Ps. 23:4) “You said that you would never leave or forsake me” (Heb. 13:5). Find a promise that fits your problem and build your prayer around that. Faith touches the heart of God, and it activates the angels of heaven. Your answer may not come over night, but it will come. And you will overcome. Remember God did not give you a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind (2 Ti.1:7) He is Love. There is power in being anchored in His Word. Do not let the enemy come in and manipulate you by fear, confusion, or panic. Fear is a liar. Anxiety is a liar. “Peace, I leave you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (Jn. 14:27) Yep, He said it! Believe it.

Mooo…ve

And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap. (Joshua 3:13)

While God is the ultimate initiator, He works through our obedience and movement. So, like in this verse in Joshua chapter 3 we see the priests had been given instruction as to how, when and where to go in moving the ark of the covenant of the Lord. The priests had to STEP into the Joran River before God parted the water, showing that God moves when we act on faith. Faith and obedience go hand in hand here. Even when the path is unclear or fearful, obedience in moving is viewed as an act of faith that aligns with God’s will and allows miracles to happen. Back in the late ’90s we had an evangelist visit our home church in Texas. His title for his message this particular night was, “I’ve never seen a buzzard eating a moving cow.” You know what? me either. His message had to do with the part we play in our miracles, blessings, etc. and that part is called “moving.” It requires putting our focus on our creator, His will, and when He calls for a move it’s not an option, because God is already at the destination, it’s called obedience. Next time you find yourself waiting on God to move, you might ask God if He is waiting on you to move?

Am I, My Enemy?

No weapon formed against you shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17)

If you are allowing your tongue to speak words against yourself, you are becoming your own opposition. You are allowing possible attacks to arise that could destroy you or at the bare minimum keep you from prospering in what you are desiring. God is telling us in the written Word in Isaiah that He condemns the accusers, even as He has equipped His servant/us/all saints, Jews and gentiles, to do so. If God has given us the power in our tongue to come against opposition, challenges, or attacks, ultimately, we are destroying ourselves if we are speaking anything different from His Word. Further in that verse it’s telling us “…and every tongue which rises against you in judgement You shall condemn,” that’s indicating false accusations. You are speaking false things over yourself, STOP IT! Take those words out of your mouth right now and start speaking truth over your situation. Don’t let the father of lies deceive you into believing a lie over what the Lord is trying to do in your life or whatever it is your believing for. Just like writing this Blog. The minute my husband brought this up to me, that I should write again and do it in a Blog, I immediately said, “Oh, I can’t do that, I don’t have the background and training for that.” That’s when I had to stop myself and remember who was actually calling me to this and if He was calling me to it, He would also equip me for it (Is. 58:11) Where He guides, He provides! It is so easy to catch yourself believing for something or petitioning the Lord for something and at the same time speaking words of defeat. Wisdom flows from a thoughtful heart. Think about what you are saying before you say it. Use constructive words. Your words can be a tree of life or destructive. They can heal you or they can harm you. Choose what you speak! Remember, not every thought needs to be expressed; once said, words cannot be taken back.

A Worshiping Warrior

Are you going through some tough stuff right now, feeling all the pressures of life? Let me let you in on a little secret. If you become a worshiping warrior, you will find yourself thriving under those pressures, it’s called a “holy boldness” praising God even during the trials. Honestly, I never saw myself waring in worship. I thought that worship was just a time of singing praises to the Lord not realizing that I was actually doing warfare right then. Recently I have found myself in a number of situations that I felt the fight or flight coming on. I also have found a better way to fight those battles. Worship is the way; it takes the load off me and right on Him. That whole flight thing is NEVER a win, unless it is removing yourself from the situation temporarily to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you regarding your circumstance. Also, I should let you know, EVERYTHING happens in God’s time, so be a patient worshipper. First, you are going to need to have a surrendered heart. A true warrior for God is first a worshiper acting out of obedience, humility and submission, something God has been working on in me for the past couple years in a really BIG way. Worship, praise and obedience are our main weapons to achieve victory. Which means we are going to need to stand firm in faith, endure some hardships and trust God to fight the battles on our behalf. After all, God is the ultimate warrior. He’s the One fighting our battles, we simply are worshipping Him in the process. (Exodus 15:3) says, The LORD is a man of war; The LORD is His name. (The battle has been won, and the praise belongs to the Victor.) In verse 6 of chapter 15 of Exodus, we can see God’s active and powerful presence among His people. God is active and He is all powerful and He will fight each of our battles, nothing is too big for our God. That is a God to be WORSHIPPED! If you will practice worshipping God, you can actually get so engrossed in worship you will not even remember what it was that had you upset to begin with. The Holy Spirit is just good like that. (Speaking from experience). Of course, no one gets up and leaves the house before getting fully dressed, well you might, so let me say it this way. When a warrior gets up for battle, he/she puts on their full armor. In the spiritual realm that is called “the whole armor of God.”

I keep this wardrobe list on my refrigerator, so when I get up in the morning and grab that first cup of coffee, I am reminded what I will be wearing for the day. Another side note: remember we are fighting spiritual battles not physical, totally different attire. We are not worshipping ourselves because we are strong and mighty fighters, we are worshipping God the Creator of the universe who fights spiritual beings we cannot see. I want to talk a little more about praise. In the Old Testament the tribe of Judah, meaning “praise,” was instructed to go first into battle, demonstrating that worship precedes victory. And in (Acts 16:25) Paul & Silas exemplified praise being used to break chains and overcome obstacles. If God is fighting our battles and He is victorious in all things, why wouldn’t we worship Him? Why would we want to wear ourselves out physically, mentally, emotionally even spiritually trying to do it any other way? When & where to worship? For me, it’s in the morning before my day even starts. I praise Him for waking me up, breath in my lungs, opportunities that He is placing in my path for the day, etc. etc. Later in the day it may be a phone call from a friend facing something and I simply stop for a moment and thank God in remembrance of one of His many promises to meet that need. At the end of the day, it may be a moment of silence just reflecting on His goodness, even when I didn’t see anything, I know He is on it. Before bed if there is anything else still lingering in my mind, it’s letting go and thanking Him for the rest I am about to receive once my eyes close because every battle is His, He fights for me.

Preparation for Paradise

“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” (John 14:2-4)

Today is my dad’s birthday as you can see on his stone. It’s been a long time since we have celebrated birthdays or anything else for that matter, but I know one day we will be celebrating all things together. First, I have to tell you he is my stepdad. I was 4 years old when he married my mom, so he is actually the man who raised me. I was engrafted into his family, much like we are with our Father God, through Jesus Christ. The year before he left his earthly home he was diagnosed with cancer and somewhere around a year before that him and our mother divorced after nearly 30 years of marriage. We lived in Texas at the time; I was married to someone else, and I had two children from a previous marriage. My dad was doing his treatments at MD Anderson in Houston about an hour from where I lived. He stayed with me part of that year as well as my sister just under me, his biological daughter. She was divorced and living alone, until my stepbrother came down from out of state to spend some time with our dad as he was ill. Dad had two sons from his first marriage, me, and then him and my mom had two daughters. The one I just spoke of is a little more than 5 years younger than me and the other sister is 17 years younger than me. The two stepbrothers both lived out of state and there wasn’t a lot of communication between them and us. Unfortunately for all the siblings, I being the oldest of all the kids was the only one who had children, therefore their children never had the chance to know him. Dad and I would stay up all hours of the night talking, due to the medicines he was taking, he couldn’t sleep. We didn’t have the best relationship to say the least as I was growing up, but when I was considered adult age and out of the house, my mom became pregnant with my youngest sister, and we began to form a bond then. We became pretty close over the next few years; he even coached me through my pregnancies. Back to our long nights. It first started out him seeking forgiveness from me for the horrible things I went through as a child, his part in that, that is. Which by doing so, enabled me to forgive him. Then he began talking to me about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. You see, his father was my grandfather that was a minister, a minister my dad’s entire life, well my grandfather’s entire life as well, after the war. My dad knew the Word of God; he just didn’t live like it most of the time. So, to say he reared us up in the likeness of Jesus is a far cry from that. But he was making up for lost time now. I believe he knew after about 6 months into his treatments, he wasn’t going to be here long, and he had some work to do, that work I call, “Preparation for Paradise.” He knew what the Word said about having unforgiveness against your brother & others, and the importance of it. That if he wanted his Father in heaven to forgive him, he must forgive his brother and seek forgiveness where it was needed as well. He was on a mission, and he was leading by example now. He went the distance sick and all to find those he needed to make right with. Back to our long nights again. He told me about a book he had received from his parents about the Holy Spirit, and he wanted me to read it, like as many times as it took before I really understood it. This was very important to him, that I get understanding. I still have that book today and two years after he left us, I spent an entire day reading it aloud to my baby sister and I remember my current husband like it was yesterday, coming home from work finding the two of us bawling. When he asked what was wrong, I told him, “I have sinned, the unpardonable sin. I had blasphemed the Holy Spirit.” He reassured me I hadn’t, if I had I certainly would not be that upset. Gotta love baby Christians! Later I finally got it, and I did read that book a couple more times just like my dad suggested. You see my dad didn’t have anything of earthly value to leave us kids, but what he did have was knowledge and understanding of our Father God and His plan and purpose for our lives. The legacy he was about to leave me was one I would have to grow into, but he prepared me with a good foundation to grow on. I learned a lot in that last year of his life and I know now, what to leave my children as a legacy before I enter into Paradise. Two years after he entered into Paradise, I rededicated my life to the Lord and I have been diligently seeking him ever since. Thank you, Dad and Happy Birthday, see you soon.

Happy Valentine’s Day

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

We humans really cannot comprehend the extent of God’s sacrifice, this type of love that He has for ALL humanity. God’s love is not restricted to any one type of person either, He wants EVERYONE to have eternal life with Him, that’s LOVE!

Valentine’s Day for many goes unnoticed, uncelebrated, undeserved or forgotten altogether. For some it may be missed because their love is no longer with them or maybe their marriage/relationship is on rocky grounds these days. Whatever the case, know that you are loved and being celebrated by the One who died for you. He has not forgotten you. If your love is no longer here on this side of paradise, He is here to comfort you. If you have been made to feel unworthy of being celebrated or undeserving, He says you are valuable, deeply loved, and redeemed, regardless of your past, mistakes, or feelings. God’s love is unconditional, everlasting, and not based on performance or deservingness. He cherishes you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14). I have loved you with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3) He loved us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8) Except His grace today and see yourself as He sees you. Know that you truly are His Valentine.